Peachton.com

You may recall the story of an assistant high school football coach in Greensboro, NC and how he was somehow came up with the funds to take blue-chip players on recruiting trips to places like Eugene, Oregon and Berkeley, CA (see below). There was also rumors that he would end up on the Oregon coaching staff despite having no head coaching experience.

Well, now the Ducks are in DEEP trouble with the NCAA and don’t be surprised if the name Otis Yelverton resurfaces.

Mr. Yelverton got a short-lived job at the shady Oak Ridge (NC) Military Academy that was enrolling men who were much older than your average high school player and steamrolling over these other poor programs. Yelverton has resigned.

Newly unemployed and reputation tarnished, might Yelverton be ready to speak out?

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Despite Northern Guilford High School opening on January 29, 2008, the basketball team still “won the 3A state championship title – and with no seniors. But questions arose about the team’s fairytale rise to glory, leading to an investigation by Guilford County Schools that determined some of the players on the team resided outside of the school’s district. As a result, the team was stripped of its championship title and (Coach Stan) Kowalewski’s coaching contract was not renewed.”
http://www.nwobserver.com/articles/2009/12/06/news/doc4b1807ee49f40864555335.txt

As you may know, Northern Guilford is football home to Parade All-American Keenan Allen, University of Oregon commits Chris McCain 4-star LB and James Scales 3-star DB.

FISH #1: How can a high school whose paint is still drying have a state champion basketball team and a nationally ranked football team?

Kowalewski is now the head basketball coach at ORMA (Oak Ridge Military Academy) 13 miles west of Greensboro.

ORMA’s AD Derrell Force resigned from Northern Guilford last spring amid the school’s eligibility scandal.

“Sources said Force is expected to offer Oak Ridge’s football job to Otis Yelverton, a nonfaculty assistant coach at Northern Guilford last year. Guilford County Schools declined to renew Yelverton’s contract for the fall. Yelverton declined to comment.”
http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/07/30/article/former_northern_guilford_coach_ad_headed_to_oak_ridge_military_academy

FISH #2: It’s interesting that all these shady characters end up together again. According to this article, ORMA’s new athletics director is Otis Yelverton. What happened to Force? I don’t know Yelverton’s resume but he was a nonfaculty assistant coach at Northern Guilford – not head coach. That is quite a career jump.
http://www.nwobserver.com/articles/2009/12/06/news/doc4b1807ee49f40864555335.txt

So who is Otis Yelverton? He is a coach in North Carolina who has coached and “mentored” McCain, Scales and Allen as well as Allen’s half brother and former Buffalo University starting QB Zach Maynard who wants to transfer and play with Allen. He also coached/mentored 4-star DE Gabe King who was found ineligible to play high school football in North Carolina due to living in the wrong district (sound familiar?) and transferred to South Eugene (OR) High School.

Representatives of University of Oregon have been very careful about this issue and it may be why King has yet to commit to the Ducks.
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Newest+Axeman+looks+comfortable+at+first+practice.-a0208717756

FISH #3: It seems awfully strange, coincidental and expensive for a family to up and move from Greensboro, North Carolina across the country to Eugene, Oregon just so their kid can play HS football. Why Eugene? Did they have financial help? From whom?

Additionally, Yelverton did his mentoring thing with Remene Alston who will be a senior RB at Oregon. As far as I can tell, Yelverton was not a high school head coach for any of these recruits. He was an assistant.

Yelverton’s distant cousin, Dino Philyaw, is a former Duck star RB who had a cup of coffee in the NFL. He has no official affiliation with Oregon other than being an alumnus. He is currently the president of SSD Luxury Builders in Eugene and operates Philyaw’s Cookout & Catering. He is a local hero/celebrity in Eugene. After high school, he played some minor league baseball and went to Taft JUCO in California before ending up at UO. Yelverton and Philyaw played against each other in high school in North Carolina and have stayed close. The two were involved in the Rivals.com Five-Star Showdown in March 2009 that included Allen, King and many other blue chippers from the Carolinas.
http://purdue.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=923236

This past summer, Yelverton took Allen, King, Scales, McCain, and Maurice Harris to Oregon’s football camp. Harris is a class of 2011 WR at NGHS and already has offers from Alabama, Cal, Clemson, etc. He is also Allen’s cousin.

FISH #4: Who paid for the flight, etc? How much do you think a summer flight for six or more from Greensboro to Eugene costs?

FISH #5: Philyaw was there to greet them. It seems to me, as a UO booster Philyaw has probably had some illegal contact, but I don’t know the details of the contact or the NCAA rules.
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindducksbeat/2009/09/oregon_football_could_reap_div.html

“ ‘Yeah we are all taking off tomorrow around 7:30 am and will be landing in Eugene around 1:30 pm,’ said Coach O. ‘James Scales, Keenan Allen, Gabe King, and Chris McCain will all be traveling with me to visit Oregon. James is also bringing some of his family on the trip. We plan on visiting Oregon, Oregon State, and Cal on the six day trip,” said Coach O.’ ”

FISH #4.5: Add in Scales family members, rental cars, gas, food and lodging… $$$

http://duckterritory.com/football/football-recruiting/130-nc-athletes-invade-oregon
http://queencityhigh.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=957496

Mighty fishy….

Damian Swann – UGA
Harvey Langi – Utah
Tobias Singleton – Ole Miss
Colt Lyerla – Oregon
Donovan Smith – Penn State
Lateek Townsend – Clemson
Gerrod Holliman – Louisville
James Sample – Washington
Wayne Lyons – Stanford
Viliam Moala – Cal
Kris Frost – Auburn
Odell Beckham – LSU
Dee Hart – Alabama
Brent Calloway – Auburn

I apologize for the delay in postings to all my fans out there – both of you! – but I am back.

HAHA to Utah for losing two in a row, to TCU and  to Notre Dame?! Wow, you must be bad to lose to a team who lost to Tulsa. Utah has a possibility of losing three in a row when they face San Diego State (7-3). Too bad Boise doesn’t have a schedule like this.

Speaking of losing three in a row, the Ramblin’ Wreck has done broke! Three straight L’s for Georgia Tech: Clemson, Virginia Tech and Miami. If they are not careful and do not look ahead to the showdown with UGA, Duke will make it four.

Speaking of Duke, they peed on Virginia’s parade. After beating Miami and going to 4-4, they were feeling pretty good about bowl eligibility. Then they rolled over for Duke and Maryland. UVa ends the season at Virginia Tech. Call it. Time of death, November 6, 2010, 3:00pm.

Some stupid people started talking up Baylor just because they beat Texas. Well, who hasn’t beaten Texas? After sitting at 7-2 and ranked #25, the Bears ran smack into Big XII reality with back-to-back losses to Oklahoma State and Texas A&M by a collective score of 97-58.

Jake Locker, is this why you came back for your senior year? The Washington Huskies (3-6) quarterback turned down being picked #1 in the 2010 NFL draft and millions of dollars so that he could get the crap kicked out of him for free.

Somehow, the Arizona Wildcats made it to 7-2 and ranked #15. Stanford and Southern Cal changed all that. Up next, #1 Oregon. Welcome back to also-ran status.

Last week, Kansas State and UCF snuck their way into the Top 25 and abruptly lost. What is this? Everybody Gets a Trophy Day?

After their debacle in Norman, Oklahoma, Florida State reeled off five straight wins against some lesser opponents and got themselves back in the rankings (#16). Then they traveled to North Carolina State and lost 28-24. Look for the Wolfpack to find their way into the Top 25. Look for the ‘Noles to be heading the other direction.

Miami lost Jacory Harris to injury and then decided to stop playing. Virginia almost blew a 24 point 4^th quarter lead settling for a 24-19 win. Losing your QB is no excuse. If the ‘Canes expect to be taken seriously they cannot lose to teams like UVa.

Missouri, Michigan State: welcome back to reality. You heard it here first. As predicted, Nebraska throttles Mizzou 31-17 and Iowa destroys Sparty 37-6. B’bye. Thanks for playing.

Georgia got a little big for their britches after three straight wins against some lame-o teams. Saturday they returned to Big Boy football and lost a close one to Florida 34-31 in OT.

It’s always good to see Lame Kiffin lose: Oregon 53 Southern Cal 32.

HAHA of the Week: Notre Dame loses at HOME to Tulsa – HAHAHA! The Dames are now 4-5 and will have to win two of their last three games to be bowl eligible. Those opponents are #8 Utah, Army (played at Yankee Stadium), and Southern Cal. ND will be lucky to win one.

I heard some announcer mention that when Missouri beat Oklahoma that they were acting like they had just won the National Championship. And that is exactly why they will lose on Saturday to Nebraska. Much like another game played in another city named Columbia a few weeks ago (South Carolina-Alabama), the underdog home team topped the #1 team and the city went crazy. Moron Mizzou fans stormed the field in celebration. You will NEVER see fans do this at schools of top tier programs because they expect to win these games. Therefore, I say, so sorry Tigers fans, you blew your wad and it is all downhill from here. Nebraska wins big.

On that note, Michigan State has overachieved and congratulations to them. Iowa puts an end to this silliness in Iowa City.

ESPN has never met a hyperbole they did not like. I understand they are in the business of getting eyeballs to their network but they are trying so hard to blow up the Southern Cal vs. Oregon game into something it isn’t. Matt Barkley is NOT Carson Palmer. He is closer to John David Booty. Oregon romps. Again.

UGA and their unrealistic fans just cannot except that they are not an elite team. Georgia has two National Championships, 1942 and 1980. They are still living off the fumes of the latter even though none of the current players were alive at the time and Mark Richt was backing up Jim Kelly at Miami (Fla). Long story short, UGA fans are insane. After losing four in a row, the Dawgs have won three in a row against the SEC bottom feeders and now they think they are hot sh*t. Florida is working on a surprising three game losing streak of their own. Coming off a bye week, I have a feeling the Gators will arrive in Jacksonville ready.

** It is a darned shame it took this long but I am happy welcome the team of the week #18 Southern Cal to the 2010 Hahas. Many pleasant returns. Washington 32 USC 31. **

Gators fans thought they had righted the ship with the second coming of Jesus… oops, I mean Tebow in Trey Burton. Wrong. After scoring 6 TD vs. Kentucky, Burton was 0-1 passing with an end zone INT, 4 rushes for 5 yards, 0 catches, 0 TDs. #1 Alabama 31 #7 Florida 6.

Oblivious UGA fans who thought the absence of AJ Green was the reason for all their losses. Colorado wins 29-27 and the stupid fans storm the field. For beating a 1-4 team???

What did I say about #9 Stanford? Every year they make a little noise that the media wants to make into a big noise and they fall flat on their faces (52-31 loss to Oregon). No disrespect to the Ducks – who I now see as the co-number one team with Alabama – but I see a bumpy road ahead for the Cardinal.

#11 Wisconsin – same as above. They will always be a second tier. Michigan State wins 34-24.

#21 Texas – has gone from BCS runner-up to dropped from rankings in a few short months. Oklahoma 28-20.  †

It took an extra week, but now there are no more undefeated teams in the ACC. Va Tech over #23 NC State 41-30.

Haha on Charles Barkley and his best friend Turner Gill who wasn’t hired at Auburn – according to Chuck – because he is black. Kansas loses to li’l ol’ Baylor 55-7. #10 Auburn is 5-0.

Rutgers loses at home to Tulane 17-14. How’s that career move working out for you, Greg Schiano? Still think he is heir apparent in State College, PA?

Tommy Tuberville is 2-2 at Texas Tech losing to Iowa State(?!) 52-38.

†  The above rankings represent pre-game positions.

HaHas Week 4, 2010

#10 Arkansas – Bill Clinton was there. So were John Daly and Jerry Jones. Some students camped out since Monday to get a good seat (I guess going to class at Ark is optional). Others stood on a hill outside the stadium. Alabama had other ideas, 24-20. Good try. Back to second tier with you.

#7 Tex-ass – LAME. Lost at home by 21 to a mediocre UCLA team. Looking ahead to the Oklahoma game, Longhorns?

#12 South Carolina and Spurrier – it’s just NOT gonna happen. Ever. Auburn 35, South Carolina 27. Lattimore 14 rushes for 33 yards.

UGA and Richt – see above. The Dawgs (1-3) lose at Mississippi State 24-12 AND had another arrest on Sunday night (DUI). Their tenth since March.

Georgia Tech – Coach Johnson, I think teams are figuring out that silly little offense. NC State wins in Atlanta 45-28.

Minnesota – first they lose to South Dakota and now to Northern Illinois (quick, team colors and mascot?) at home 34-23.

Boise – You’re saying “why do they get a haha? They beat Oregon State.” Yes, but they did not really impress anyone in either of their high profile games (the other being Va Tech). Even the wonks who were pushing them are now backing off.

Notre Dame – ahh, this never gets old HAHAHAHA! Another loss for the Dames. This time the beneficiary was Stanford 37-14.

Preview of Week 5: every year it seems Stanford has a player who gets overhyped or they win a few games and everyone goes into a tizzy. But now they travel to Eugene Oregon to see what they are REALLY made of.

Week 4 brings some really interesting games that will help sort out what some teams are really made of.

#1 Alabama at #10 Arkansas – it’s Heisman hopeful Ryan Mallett vs. the young and inexperienced Alabama defensive backfield. The winner emerges as the SEC West favorite, as well as a BCS Bowl aspirations.

#12 South Carolina at #17 Auburn – Both teams are 3-0 and looking to show they are for real. SC has probably the best team under Spurrier in his six mediocre years in Columbia. The Tigers are coming off a hard-hitting OT win over Clemson.  This game is BIG for both teams.

#24 Oregon State at #3 Boise – We all know about Boise trying to bust their way into the big boys’ dance. Their answer to lame scheduling was to play Va Tech, OSU, Wyoming & Toledo. IMHO, if they wanted to be taken serious, those last two games should’ve been harder opponents since the WAC sked is SO lame. But anyway… The Beavers are like Jekyll & Hyde. For the sake of College Footbal, let’s hope they bring their A-game.

Nevada at BYU – Why is this important? Because we will get to see if Nevada is for real. The ‘Pack has rolled to a 3-0 start in three home games including a 52-31 romp over Cal. They may be the last shot at beating Boise who travels to Reno on November 26th.

Also watching:

• #22 West Virgina at #15 LSU -  Tigers fans are getting restless in Baton Rouge. A loss might cause a riot.
• #5 Oregon at Arizona State – The Ducks are my #3 behind Alabama and Ohio State.
• Kentucky at #9 Florida – Cobb and Locke should not be taken lightly as Florida tries to find their way.
• #16 Stanford at Notre Dame – the sun is always sunnier, the birds sing more merrily, everything is right with the world when Notre Dame loses.

Worst game of the Week: #118 New Mexico at #110 UNLV (rankings according to cbssports.com) – Both are 0-3. NM has given up 180 points in three games. I am taking Vegas.